Lee Jung-jae

Lee Jung-jae: The Ever-Evolving Journey of a Master Actor

Lee Jung-jae is a leading actor who has led the Korean film industry from the 1990s to the present. Debuting as a model, he has digested a variety of characters across dramas and films. From delicate emotional acting to intense action acting, what is the charm of this actor who boasts a wide acting spectrum? Let’s take a closer look at Lee Jung-jae’s acting career and the secrets to his popularity.

1. Who is Lee Jung-jae?

Lee Jung-jae made his debut in the 1993 drama ‘Dinosaur Teacher’ and rose to stardom with the role of Baek Jae-hee in ‘Sandglass’. He then won the Best Actor award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards for the movie ‘City of the Rising Sun’, proving his acting skills. He has shown impressive performances in various genres, including ‘Il Mare’, ‘New World’, ‘The Face Reader’, and ‘Assassination’.

2. Analyzing the secrets to Lee Jung-jae’s enduring popularity

Lee Jung-jae has established himself as a beloved actor for a long time through his outstanding acting skills, charismatic appearance, and constant spirit of challenge.

• Exceptional acting skills: Lee Jung-jae has showcased a wide acting spectrum by taking on various genres, including melodramas, action, thrillers, and historical dramas. His acting, which shows both delicate emotional expression and intense charisma, has left a deep impression on many audiences. In the Netflix series ‘Squid Game’, he perfectly portrayed the psychology of a desperate character named Gi-hun, who is driven to the edge, gaining worldwide popularity.
• Charismatic appearance: His tall height and sculptural appearance are Lee Jung-jae’s trademarks. He has been called a “sculpture-like handsome man” since his debut and has captured the hearts of many female fans.
• Constant spirit of challenge: Lee Jung-jae does not settle down and constantly challenges himself with new roles, attempting to transform his acting. Recently, he made a successful directorial debut with the movie ‘Hunt’, proving his capabilities not only as an actor but also as a director.

3. Lee Jung-jae’s representative works

• Sandglass (1995): A work that made a significant mark in the history of Korean dramas, Lee Jung-jae rose to stardom by playing the charismatic bodyguard Baek Jae-hee.
• City of the Rising Sun (1999): A work that showed the intense youth alongside Jung Woo-sung. With this work, Lee Jung-jae won the Best Actor award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, proving his acting skills.
• New World (2013): Considered a representative work of Korean noir films. Lee Jung-jae played the role of undercover police officer Lee Ja-sung and had a breathtaking acting match with Choi Min-sik and Hwang Jung-min.
• Squid Game (2021): The Netflix series ‘Squid Game’ gained immense popularity worldwide, making Lee Jung-jae a global star. He played the role of Gi-hun, who is struggling with debt, and showed an impressive performance.

4. Lee Jung-jae’s future path

Lee Jung-jae has finished filming ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 and will continue his active career as an actor and director. Attention is focused on his future path as he leads the Korean film industry with his constant challenges and passion.